THE KABBALAH OF TIME:
Kahane and Wainer explain that the calendar is the master key to unlock the hidden rationale behind the formal structure of ancient sacred texts, as well as to understand basic mystical concepts. When comprehended within the context of the Jewish calendar, these works reveal the spiritual energy of each week, serving as a practical guide for self-analysis and development.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Complementing Book 4a: Yahrzeits of Tzadikim for Weeks 22 through 25

Week 22

This week contains the yahrzeits of Rabbi Aharon Leib Leifer of
Premishlan (2nd of Adar)
and Rabbi Yisrael Alter of Ger (also the 2nd of Adar).

Rabbi Aharon Leib of
Premishlan was one of the leading Chassidic figures of Eastern Europe. He was
the son of Rabbi Meir the Elder and the father of Rabbi Meir’l of Premishlan.
The Chassidic dynasty of Nadvorna, from which many present rebbes descend, originates
from Premishlan.

Rabbi Yisrael Alter was
the fourth rebbe of Ger. He escaped Poland during the Holocaust, and came to
Israel in 1940. He was rebbe from 1948 until his passing in 1977. He had a very
prominent role in rebuilding the Ger dynasty after it had been decimated by the
Nazis. Today, Ger is the largest Chassidic dynasty in the world.

This week contains two yahrzeits related to the Kaliver Chassidic
dynasty, of Hungary: Rabbi Leib Sarah’s (4th of Adar) and Rabbi Yitzchak
Eizik Taub of Kalev (7th of Adar).

Rabbi Leib Sarah’s was
a close disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, and one of the hidden tzadikkim. He was known by the name of
his mother, because of her righteousness in marrying another hidden tzadik to avoid the advances of a nobleman.
He spent his life raising money to ransom imprisoned Jews and to support other tzadikim. (Ascent)

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik
Taub is the founder of the Kalever dynasty. He was “discovered” by Rabbi Leib
Sarah, who brought him to study with Reb Shmelke of Nicholsburg. He also later
studied under Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk. He was known as the “Sweet Singer of
Israel” and well known for his nigunnim
(Chassidic melodies). He was the first rebbe to establish a Chassidic presence
in Hungary.

Also
this week is the yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham Landau of Chechanov (5th of Adar).

Week 24

This week contains the yahrzeits of Rabbi Chayim Yosef David
Azulai (the “Chida,” 11th of Adar) and Rabbi Avraham Bornstein (the “Avnei Nezer”
and “Eglei Tal,” also 11th of Adar).

The Chida is one of the
greatest Sephardi authorities of all time. An expert in Jewish law as well as
Kabbalah, the Chida was also a historian and bibliographer. He wrote over 71
works. He was a student of Rav Shalom Sharabi [the Rashash] and Rav Chaim ben-Atar
(the Ohr HaChaim). (Ascent)

The Avnei Nezer was the
son-in-law of Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Kotzk and the founder of the Chassidic
dynasty of Sochatchov. Similar to the Chida, his expertise lied not only in
mystical texts, but also the in the revealed realm of practical Jewish law.

This week contains the yahrzeits of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk (21st of Adar) and Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Rothenberg/Alter (the "Chiddushei HaRim, 23rd of Adar).

Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk was on of the main disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch. He was known as the "Rebbe of Rebbes" of the Jews of Poland/Galitzia. He was the brother of Reb Zushia of Anipoli, and many of his disciples became rebbes in their own right, including the Chozeh of Lublin, the Ohev Yisrael, Reb Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, and the Maggid of Kozhnitz. His also the author of the Noam Elimelech, one of the foundational texts of Polish Chassidism.

Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Alter was the founder of the Ger dynasty, which, in great part because of his inspiring and caring leadership, became the largest of all Chassidic groups. His work, Chiddushei HaRim, is also a Chassidic "classic."

Other yahrzeits this week includeRav Chanoch Henach of Alexander (18th of Adar - He served as the rebbe of Ger for some time after the Chidushei HaRim passed away), Rabbi Nachum Mordechai of Chortkov (son of Rabbi Yisrael Friedman, 18th of Adar), and Rabbi Meir Yechiel of Ostrovtze (19th Adar 1928).

Rebbe Yisrael Taub and his son, Shaul Yedidya Elazer Taub, the First and Second Rebbes of Modzitz

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The date also marks the yahrzeit of emmissaries Gavriel Noach and Rivky Holzberg, who died "Al Kidush Hashem" (sanctifying G-d's Holy Name), as well as the Rebbe's miraculous recovery from a massive heart attack.

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Burial Place of the Mitteler Rebbe, Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch

His yahrzeit (and birthday) is on Tuesday, the 9th of Kislev. The following day, the 10th of Kislev, is celebrated as the day of his personal redemption.